PROFILE:

Name: AFNAN RASHID AL ZAYANI

Profession: Businesswoman

Qualification:

• 1973 – 1975, The American University of Beirut, majoring in Food
  Technology and Nutrition School of Agriculture.
• 1976 – 1977, Bachelor of Science in Food Technology; School of Agriculture,
  Texas Technical University, USA.

Experience: 29 years

Present Positions:

• President and Proprietor of Al Zayani Commercial Services W.L.L.
  since 1999, a company which was established in 1980. [Website: www.alzayanicomm.com]
  • Office Automation Division
  • Trading & Tendering Division
  • Tree of Life [producing artificial trees, plants, palm trees].
• Partner and Director of Martinizing Laundry & Dry Cleaners.
• President of Bahrain Businesswomen Society 2002 – 2004
• Board Member of Bahrain Businesswomen Society 2004 - 2008.
• Founding Board Member and Secretary to the Board of Directors of Bahrain Businessmen’s Association.
• Director of Al Ayam Press, Printing & Publishing
• Board Member and Head of Bahrain Businesswomen Committee at Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2006 – 2008)
• Member of Gulf Businesswomen Committee in Federation of G.C.C Chambers.
• Representing Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Committee for “H.H. Shaikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Award” for Women Empowerment.
• Founding member of Bahrain Competitiveness Council
• Member of FTA committee at Bahrain Economic Board
• Member of Arab Women Labour Committee
• Board Member of Private Sector Development Association
• Founding Member of Innovation Bank for Micro Finance (under formation)

Others:

Author of Cookery Books, namely:

• Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah (1983) – 7th edition was released in 2003
• A Taste of the Arabian Gulf (1988) – 2nd edition was released in 2002
• Ma Lath Wa Tab (1994) – 2nd edition was released in 2003
• Lathiyath Afnan – released in 2004

Presenter of T.V. Cookery Programmes since 1986, namely:

• Al Soofrah Al Khaleejiah – Bahrain T.V. (1986)
• Eat Smart – Bahrain T.V. (1996)
• Taibat - Bahrain T.V. (1997)
• Gulf Delights – Bahrain T.V. (1998)
• Lathiyath - I, II, III, IV & V – Bahrain T.V. (1999 – 2003)
• Awafi 2005 – Qatar T.V. (2005)
• Seha Wa Afia – Qatar T.V. (2006)
• Afnanniat – Qatar T.V. (2008)

Judge at Major Food Events:

• Indian Ladies Association
• MEFEX (Middle East Food Exhibition)
• National Heritage Festival
• “One Million Dates Cake”

National Awards & Achievements:

• 1977 - Ministry of Education, Honours Award.
• 1992 – National Achievement Award.
• 2004 – Best Business Professional in the Middle East Award
• 2005 – Selected as one of the 50 top women in the Middle East by Forbes Magazine.
• 2007 – Ranked 88th in the list of the world’s most powerful Arabs (Power 100) by Arabian Business.

Afnan's Video